Championship - Mowbray expects Phillips decision

Eurosport - Fri, 04 Jul 15:18:00 2008

Tony Mowbray expects to find out over the weekend whether striker Kevin Phillips will remain at West Brom or make the switch to Birmingham.

FOOTBALL - 2007-2008 Championship - Kevin Phillips, West Brom - 0

Phillips, Albion's top scorer last season with 24 goals, is attracting the interest of Blues boss Alex McLeish.

Baggies manager Mowbray is keen to keep the 34-year-old and held talks with him yesterday. He expects to know in the next 48 hours whether Phillips will stay at The Hawthorns for a third season.

He said: "I had a good chat with Kevin and, until something is resolved either way, I don't really want to say too much.

"We are getting on with our jobs now with the players that are here. I am pretty sure it will be resolved one way or the other in the next day or two."

Phillips, whose agent Phil Smith is currently in America, is out of contract at present and training away from Albion until his future is sorted out.

Mowbray said: "Kevin is very conscious that clubs are back in training and he is working at home in his own gym. He wants to be back training and playing."

McLeish sees Phillips as the kind of proven goalscorer who can help City regain their Premier League status at the first attempt.

He needs to bring in a good finisher after the departure of Mikael Forssell at the end of last season.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 3 of 3

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. I've got to say that I think Kevin is being very foolish about this matter, look at the facts: -

    1: He's 34 (35 by the start of the season) His times running out in Pro Footy

    2: He's adored by Albion fans for what he has done but we also are not stupid, he WONT be the same player in the premier league.

    3: We prided ourselves on being "The Arsenal of the championship", Arsenals policy on over 30's is "ONE YEAR CONTRACTS ONLY"

    Remember: -

    A: He's has been offered a contract of £17,500 a week for one year with a further year to follow as long as he makes 19 appearances (He made 30 last year).

    B: He has a potential knee injury that threatened hs career, the insurance to cover this injury is in excess of £2000 a WEEK!!! (£100,000 a year)

    C: The last time he played in the Premier league he was 31, he failed to live up to the standard then, what makes you so certain 4 years later he can do it now???

    I love kevin and i am eternally grateful for everything he has done for the club but I suppose now we'll see whether he want's to prove himself again at the top level, or whether he just want's the money.

    And before anyone says "Well he's 34, he got to get the best money while he can" Surely Kevin thinks he's good enough to still play Premier league football, therefore triggering the clause in his contrct that will automatically give him another year shouldn't be a problem.

    P:S Martin A - Your a fool.

    From Paul C, on Fri 4 Jul 10:32AM

  2. " . . . . .Phillips, who has netted 46 goals in 81 games for the Baggies"

    playing as part of a TEAM who moved the ball around and made space for him to work.

    Birmingham City under McLeish were, are and probably will continue to be kick and thump merchants with about as much combined skill as a collection of combine harvesters.

    Kev - use your brains, please. If you have to go, (and I and several thousand other Baggies fans hope you don't) at least show some common sense and go to a club where you can shine like the diamond you are until you can't play any longer.

    Whatever happens - thanks for the last two seasons.

    From Silver Badger, on Fri 4 Jul 9:23AM

  3. Kevin Phillips should do the smart thing and stay at West Brom.If he moves to Birmingham he won't be getting Premier League Football.

    From Justin, on Thu 3 Jul 11:01PM
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account